Pilot

Pilot episode for the TV series introduces the lawyers and employees of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, a Los Angeles law firm, in dealing with their courtroom cases and personal ...
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Storyline

Pilot episode for the TV series introduces the lawyers and employees of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak, a Los Angeles law firm, in dealing with their courtroom cases and personal matters out of the courthouse. While the entire office deals with the unexpected death of one of the founding senior partners, Norman Chaney, junior partner Michael Kuzak reluctantly takes on the defense of a wealthy and spoiled young man, accused with two friends, of raping a woman dying from leukemia. While intern Abby Perkins deals with her abusive alcoholic husband, divorce lawyer Arnie Becker takes advantage of his latest client caught up in her divorce. Public defender Victor Sifuentes is also offered to join the firm, while the ruthless managing partner, Douglas Brackman, deals with a surprising revelation from his new secretary. Written by
matt-282

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Trivia

Stephen Bochco had wanted Kiel Martin to play the role of Arnie Becker, having worked with Martin on "Hill Street Blues" where Martin had played Det. J.D. LaRue and knowing that Martin's mix of acting skill and personal issues (he had battled alcoholism for a long time and successfully dealt with his addiction to stay in the Det. LaRue role) would be a great fit for a character with Arnie's mix of success and demons. Unfortunately, Martin has serious health problems that meant he was unable to do the role, so Bochco cast Corbin Bernsen instead. See more »

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User Reviews

As I indicated previously, this was a seminal show -- probably the first "lawyer show" that wasn't really a detective program in disguise. L.A. Law introduced us to the staff meeting; administrative hearings; appellate courts; as well as almost all aspects of criminal and CIVIL litigation. It was an amazing program that, when it focused on the cases, was arguably the best show on television in the late 80s and early 90s.

To be fair to its critics, however, I can't remember any program that was this good that (almost abruptly) became so bad! Although I continued to watch it until the end, it was hit-and-miss at best, and sometimes just plain terrible, after the fifth season.

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